US investment in Ireland

**strangeirish** · 22/01/2007, 3:06 PM

Interesting survey on US multinationals operating in Ireland. It doesn't sound very attractive for them to do business in Ireland for the long term.

**pete** · 22/01/2007, 5:01 PM

I get the impression that manufacturing days are clearly numbered as almost everything made in China now.

In the services sector i think Ireland in healthy enough position as skills probably increasing but we still a lot cheaper than the US or UK. While salaries may be increasing our taxes such as Corproate tax & employer PRSI are relatively low. In contrast to the old stereotypes I think irish employees come out very well in the dedication & hard working stakes compared with other Nations. This has probably been helped by reducing income taxes to reasonable levels so work is rewarded.

**strangeirish** · 22/01/2007, 5:20 PM

It's not good when you hear about these surveys. Unfortunately, it's a prelude to more closures or a preemtive strike looking for more incentives from the government. Luckily, Ireland has survived the latest round of closures by Pfizer.

**Macy** · 23/01/2007, 9:16 AM

I'm shocked. I was expecting a Business Organisation to come out and say everything was fine and dandy and feel free to put up taxes....

btw Pete, we haven't that low a tax regime for workers - look how many are paying at what is supposed to be the top rate of tax due to a inequitable policy of reducing rates rather than widening bands.

**pete** · 23/01/2007, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

btw Pete, we haven't that low a tax regime for workers - look how many are paying at what is supposed to be the top rate of tax due to a inequitable policy of reducing rates rather than widening bands.

I am not disputing that. What I meant was the total cost to the employer when you include employer PRSI etc... Without being specific i heard last year of Services company that rated cost per employee as UK-US-Ireland... i.e. UK most expensive. Employer PRSI is something like 10-12% in Ireland, Its 40% in Germany.

Pfizer job cuts had nothing to do with Ireland & a direct result of new drug failing trials. I think the patent of their biggest selling drug is running out & now the new drug won't be approved to replace those earnings which leading to the job cuts. Their investment in Cork so huge that a good few years ago they sold off half their plant as getting out of food additives market. That food additive company subsequently closed that operation & now Pfizer have bought the land back as running out of room to expand (they have already reclaimed land from the sea).

**Docboy** · 23/01/2007, 1:53 PM

If anything Pfizer are on the build here big time, building a huge new facility alongside an existing one here in Dun Laoghaire.

Don't think they are going anywhere for a while.

**Jamjar** · 23/01/2007, 2:13 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I get the impression that manufacturing days are clearly numbered as almost everything made in China now.

In the services sector i think Ireland in healthy enough position as skills probably increasing but we still a lot cheaper than the US or UK.

But not cheaper than India, thats where my job went to.

**rebs23** · 24/01/2007, 5:55 PM

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/to...=pl&l=pl&s=gen

Strong rumours about Dell and Limerick. Would be a disaster for Limerick and the 3,500 working there.

**strangeirish** · 29/01/2007, 3:36 PM

Motorola looking at closing plant in Cork.

**pete** · 29/01/2007, 4:47 PM

Originally Posted by strangeirish

Motorola looking at closing plant in Cork.

While it looks bad for them it just says Motorola might close that office.

I can't speak for the jobs market in Cork but software is definitely an employees market & difficult to find good people these days. IMO you can tell how boyant the jobs market by the number of CVs from foreign nationals i receive.

**Jamjar** · 29/01/2007, 7:08 PM

Originally Posted by pete

While it looks bad for them it just says Motorola might close that office.

I can't speak for the jobs market in Cork but software is definitely an employees market & difficult to find good people these days. IMO you can tell how boyant the jobs market by the number of CVs from foreign nationals i receive.

"Good people"...are most applicants evil ?
Does 'boyant' mean the jobs market is biased towards males, or is the word you're looking for 'bouyant' ?